An enticing prospect for thrill-seekers, an electric motorcycle with the ability to accelerate from zero to 60mph in a mere 3.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 124mph is making waves. However, for many motorcycle enthusiasts, daily commuting involves sharing roads with larger vehicles, necessitating a balance between exhilaration and safety. Verge Motorcycles aims to cater to both these needs by integrating artificial intelligence into their latest offering.
Unveiled at CES 2024, the Verge Motorcycles TS Ultra boasts six cameras and an AI-assisted radar system that monitors its front, back, and sides. This all-electric bike, touted as the future of motorcycles, is designed to address the need for both excitement and safety. With its “sense of sight,” the TS Ultra employs an AI system that encompasses familiar features found in modern cars, including collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure assistance. In essence, it is engineered for speed while maintaining a heightened awareness of its surroundings.
The Starmatter Dash serves as the bike’s infotainment center, displaying safety and crucial drive information. The TS Ultra offers riders a 360-degree view of their surroundings through the large Starmatter Dash, made possible by a combination of optical and high-resolution front and back radar sensors. Safety features such as hazard warnings, blind spot assistance, rearview cameras, traction control, an anti-brake-locking system, and a custom ride mode are integrated to enhance rider safety and control.
With a rear wheel delivering 1,200Nm of torque, handling such power requires expertise, especially for those new to riding electric motorcycles with rapid acceleration capabilities. Notably, the TS Ultra’s rear wheel lacks a hub, as Verge’s team ingeniously concealed the motor inside to maintain a low center of gravity and proximity to the bike’s underbelly battery pack. Beyond improved maneuverability and stability, this design choice adds a cyberpunk aesthetic, acknowledging the cool factor.
Available in five colors – white, black, red, yellow, and green – with seasonal special editions, the TS Ultra is priced at $44,900. Verge Motorcycles’ Chief Technology Officer, Marko Lehtimäki, envisions their goal as becoming the safest bike in the market, drawing parallels to the safety-focused ethos of Volvo and Polestar in the automotive industry. While initial attraction may be fueled by the plethora of safety features, regular usage is likely to reveal the ongoing appreciation for the extra technological sensors. After all, it’s recognized that the most perilous journey is the one undertaken daily.
